Subject: Internal Security

Why in the News?

April 13, 2024, marks the 40th anniversary of Operation Meghdoot, which was launched by the Indian Army to pre-empt Pakistan and occupy the Siachen Glacier in the Karakoram ranges.

The genesis of Operation Meghdoot

• Launched: April 13, 1984 (by the Indian Armed Forces);
• Aim: To seize control of the Siachen Glacier in Kashmir, marking the first assault in the world’s highest battlefield.
  • It was a response to Pakistan’s Operation Ababeel.
• Indian troops, including the Kumaon Regiment and Ladakh Scouts, successfully gained control of critical peaks and passes like Sia La, Bilafond La, and Gyong La, along with the commanding heights of the Saltoro Ridge, giving India a strategic advantage in the region.
• Operation Meghdoot resulted in the first of its kind and the only army in the world to have deployed tanks and heavy ordnance at such high altitudes.
• The Siachen Glacier conflict arose due to a vague demarcation of territories in the Karachi Agreement of 1949, leading to both India and Pakistan claiming the barren heights and the glacier, which escalated tensions in the region.

Significance of Siachen Glacier:

• Preventing ingress from Pakistan and China: Siachen forms a hub between Shaksgam Valley, Karakoram Pass, and Aksai Chin, making it vital for India to prevent ingress not only from Pakistan but also from China.
• Maintaining the status quo: The Indian Army’s presence in the region has helped maintain the status quo and prevent any territorial changes that could compromise India’s security.
• Watershed and drainage: The Siachen Glacier acts as a watershed, with its melting waters being the main source of the Nubra River in the Indian region of Ladakh, which drains into the Shyok River and ultimately the Indus River, a major water source for Pakistan.

Way forward:

• Continued Diplomatic Talks: India and Pakistan may continue to engage in diplomatic dialogues, potentially at higher levels, to discuss the demilitarization of Siachen and other related issues. These talks could aim to find common ground and address mutual concerns.
• Authentication of AGPL: India’s insistence on authenticating the Actual Ground Position Line (AGPL) as the first step towards demilitarization could remain a key sticking point. Efforts may be made to find a mutually acceptable way to verify and authenticate the AGPL.
• Involvement of Third Parties:   Third-party mediation or involvement from international organizations could be explored to facilitate discussions and help build trust between India and Pakistan.

Why in the news? 

The Indian Army is observing the year 2024 as the ‘Year of Technology Absorption’.

• The Indian military is moving in the right direction, but the challenge lies in sustaining technology absorption with a nuanced understanding of the requirements

What is Technology absorption in terms of disruptive technology (DT)?

It comprises Artificial intelligence, Autonomous Weapon Systems such as drones, sensors, robotics, space technology, and hypersonic weapon systems (also called Legacy Systems)

Challenges in Technology absorption:

• Compatibility issues: Incorporating new technologies into existing structures or systems, known as legacy systems, can be challenging due to compatibility issues and the need for adaptation.
• More time in Training and Skills Development: Ensuring that personnel are adequately trained to operate and maintain new technologies is crucial. The acquisition of technical skills and knowledge may require significant investment and time.
• Lack of Resource: Limited resources, both financial and human, may constrain the absorption of technologies because need to require more funds to maintain preexisting military hardware. Due to this military has left very less amount of money to the absorption of technologies
• Cybersecurity Concerns: With the integration of advanced technologies comes the risk of cyber threats and vulnerabilities. Safeguarding systems and networks against cyber-attacks becomes paramount.
• Supply Chain Management: Dependence on external suppliers for critical components or technologies can introduce risks related to reliability, availability, and security of supply chains like fighter jet engine import from the USA

Technological Absorption needs to be governed organically:

• Acknowledge the Sensitivity: Recognize existing vulnerabilities and sensitivities within the military structure and operations. Identify gaps between current capabilities and future needs.
• Need to Understand Latest Technologies:  Understanding the latest advancements in technology and their potential applications in military operations. Understand the context in which these technologies can be effectively utilized.
• Integrating at Unit-Level: Ensure that technology absorption is not limited to higher levels of command but is visibly manifested at the unit level. Democratize the use of technology to empower frontline personnel.
• Macro-Level Aspects: Address macro-level aspects such as organizational restructuring, human resource management, cultivation of specialists at various levels, civil-military fusion, data integrity management, and procurement policies tailored for Defense Technologies (DTs).
• Learn from Recent Wars: Analyze lessons learned from recent and ongoing conflicts to inform future planning and decision-making like the Russia Conflict

Mains question for practice 

Q Discuss the Challenges in Technology absorption in terms of disruptive technology (DT).And give suggestive measures to resolve the challenges

Why in the news? 

• The Agni-5 ballistic missile test dubbed the “Divyastra”, that was conducted by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), is strategically consequential

Context:

• With a range of over 5,000 kilometers, the Agni-5 is the longest-range missile India has tested so far. But it is not simply its range but, equally, its potency that represents a watershed moment for India’s nuclear deterrent.
• The potency of India’s nuclear deterrent is enhanced because this variant is integrated with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicles (MIRVs).

What are MIRVs?

MIRVs- A MIRV is a ‘missile bus’ whose passengers are nuclear bombs and which facilitates a single booster to deliver them to different targets. It means  MIRV can target multiple targets that can be hundreds of kilometers apart with a single missile.

Background:

• In 1970, the U.S. started to deploy the Minuteman III, the first MIRV-ed intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) with three warheads on each missile. In 1971, it deployed the Poseidon, the first MIRV-ed submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) which had the capability of carrying up to 10 warheads on each missile
• The Soviet Union followed the U.S. and by the 1970s developed its own MIRV-ed ICBM and SLBM technology.
• China has developed and deployed MIRV technology with multiple warheads placed on its DF-5B ICBMs
• France and the United Kingdom are known to have MIRV-equipped missiles.

Why MIRV technology is so lethal? 

Unlike conventional missiles that deploy a single warhead, MIRV-equipped missiles can release multiple warheads from the missile at varying speeds and trajectories.

A comparison with China-

• India’s Late Entry: While MIRV technology is not new globally, India’s development of MIRV-capable ballistic missiles marks its entry into a select group of nations possessing such capabilities, including the established nuclear powers like the United States, Russia, China, France, and the United Kingdom.
• Potential for Damage Limitation: MIRV-tipped missiles are crucial for striking multiple targets simultaneously and evading ballistic missile defenses. China’s advancements in ballistic missile defenses, such as the HQ-19 interceptors, pose a challenge, although their efficacy against India’s Agni series missiles, especially the Agni-5, still needs to be improved.
• Need for Further Testing: While integrating MIRV technology into the Agni-5 is a significant step, continued testing and refinement will be necessary to enhance the credibility and effectiveness of India’s nuclear ballistic missile arsenal. The Indian armed services are likely to seek multiple tests to ensure reliability and readiness.

The complications against the development of MIRV-capable ballistic missiles include:

• Nuclear Warhead Miniaturization: Achieving miniaturization of nuclear warheads is a demanding technical requirement for MIRV-capable missiles. Inadequate nuclear testing by India has compromised the extent to which warheads could be miniaturized for MIRV applications.
• Receptacle Weight Reduction: The receptacle that carries the warhead or re-entry vehicle must be of low weight or mass before release from the Post Boost Vehicle (PBV). This requirement adds complexity to the design and engineering of the missile system.
• Precision Configuration: Re-entry vehicles must be precisely configured to fit into the missile and separate from the PBV, which needs to be manoeuvrable. This necessitates meticulous design and testing to ensure proper functionality.
• Guidance and Accuracy: Guidance and accuracy are essential for MIRV-capable missiles, as re-entry vehicles must be spin-stabilized during atmospheric re-entry. Achieving the required level of precision adds another layer of complexity to the development process.
• Geographic Limitation: MIRV-based missiles can only strike multiple targets within their geographic footprint. This limitation requires careful consideration in strategic planning and deployment.
• Limited Nuclear Testing: India’s limited nuclear testing history has restricted the extent to which warheads could be miniaturized and MIRV technology could be developed. This lack of testing has posed challenges to Indian missile and nuclear engineers.
• Integration Challenges: Integrating warheads with missiles involves complex processes and requires coordination among various agencies, such as the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL) and Advanced Systems Limited (ASL). Overcoming integration challenges adds to the difficulty of MIRV development.
• Decoys and Countermeasures: Uncertainty remains regarding whether the Agni-5 missile can carry decoys and chaff, especially during the boost and intermediate phases of flight. Integrating countermeasures adds additional technical challenges.
• Launch Platform: Agni-5 is expected to be launched from a road-mobile platform, which introduces logistical and operational considerations for deployment.

Future Scope for Indian Projects:

• Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile (SLBM) Testing: India is set to test a long-range SLBM, which will be launched from its nuclear ballistic missile submarines. This project aims to further enhance India’s nuclear deterrence capabilities by adding a sea-based component to its arsenal.
• Continued Development by DRDO and AEC: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) of India are expected to continue their collaboration in developing advanced missile and nuclear technologies. This collaboration underscores India’s commitment to strengthening its defense capabilities.
• Strategic Focus on China: The development of the Agni-5 with MIRV capability specifically addresses potential threats from China’s missile and missile defense programs. India’s strategic focus remains on maintaining a credible deterrent vis-à-vis China.
• Enhanced Nuclear Capabilities: The successful test of the Agni-5 MIRV missile marks a significant milestone in India’s quest to become a highly credible nuclear and missile power. It signifies India’s determination to bolster its nuclear capabilities to counter emerging threats effectively.

Conclusion:

India’s MIRV advancements, though challenging, augment nuclear deterrence against China. Continued testing and SLBM development signify India’s commitment to bolstering defense capabilities and ensuring regional stability.